Feeling like you need a nap an hour after downing a venti latte is a pretty clear clue that you’re not getting enough sleep. However, there are some more subtle signs that you’re lacking z’s. Here are three to watch for:
- You’re hungrier than usual. Skimping on sleep increases levels of a hunger-related hormone and decreases levels of a hormone that helps control how much you consume. What’s more, a lack of sleep also causes you to crave higher-calorie foods.
- You feel down. Just a few nights of insufficient sleep can take a toll on your mood. You may feel irritable or even sad. Over time, sleeplessness can raise your risk for depression.
- You keep getting sick. Sleeping just five or six hours per night significantly increases your chances of coming down with a cold compared with sleeping seven or more hours per night, research shows. Too little time in bed chips away at important immune cells that help fend off illnesses.